I always go for more money- especially if it is 100% telework. That makes it even more money.

Job 2 a million percent

Anonymous wrote:Telework is actually going to be more than 15% higher salary since you will have neither commuting costs nor clothing/lunch expenses. Job 2

Don't mess with that in a government job. Very much against the law.

Telework is actually going to be more than 15% higher salary since you will have neither commuting costs nor clothing/lunch expenses. Job 2

I would take the 100% telework job with higher pay.

Telework and more money, win win.

the problem is that even focusing on ambition, "close to retirement" is meaningless unless retirement date is known, and even then upper management decisions could render succession planning moot.

aka, I took a job where my managers manager was clearly going to retire in a few years, my manager did about 80% of their workload before they retired, and then new VP eliminated the skip-level position and re-orged us. so now i've once again lost years building internal team trust and support, because my managers position is not available. if i had taken an effective pay cut and added 2 hours a day commuting just to futilely gamble on potential future advancement I'd be *really* annoyed.

however, if you have serious concerns about the longevity or stability of the telework organization, that could make me discount the offer.

another option is to use the existing 15% higher telework offer to try to negotiate a higher salary for the internal position. but I'd be tempted to take the telework offer. You can always experiment with co-working spaces if you find you really need the energy of other people around you.

OP here, thank you for your replies. Both positions are state government jobs and relatively secure I think. I would be transferring to a different department. Unfortunately I don't think I could ask for WFH in my contract.

As I mentioned, I am not young nor am I particularly ambitious at this point in my life. Work-life balance is more important to me now than when I was younger. Having said that, I wouldn't say not to another promotion further down the line if that was in the cards.

I'd probably take 2nd job, assuming that they will write in the employment contract that you are permanently a home-based employee in your current state of residence.

I read that you are older. Which job would give you more long-run stability? If you get laid off, it's hard to reclaim your perch as an older employee.

I'd take the second job, even though I do like going into an office. The kicker is you could not pay me to go back and work for a grumpy manager, especially since she isn't all that fond of you.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would take the telework position, personally. But I really value being able to WFH - and I am not all that ambitious.

How much more $ would you get with the first job?

First job will be 15% less than second (100% telework job).

Well that makes this an even easier choice!

If you aren’t ambitious, and especially if you could do without the income or find another job quickly if job 2 blows up, go with job 2.

Anonymous wrote:I would take the telework position, personally. But I really value being able to WFH - and I am not all that ambitious.

How much more $ would you get with the first job?

First job will be 15% less than second (100% telework job).

I would take the telework position, personally. But I really value being able to WFH - and I am not all that ambitious.

How much more $ would you get with the first job?

Background:

There are two jobs that I am up for:

One is in my current department. I am 100% certain to get his job...just going through the formalities of applying. However, my new supervisor would be someone who is somewhat lukewarm toward me although we do get along from our limited interaction thus far. She is close to retirement and can be very grumpy. The work would be more challenging and will definitely help me when moving up if that is what I decide to to (I am not young). This job is 30% in-office 70% telework. I've been told that this may change in the future to more in-office. Kids are HS so not as big an issue as it was before but the commute is about 45 minutes to 1 hour each way which really sucks.

The other position is 100% telework. I have already been offered this position. However, the work doesn't seem as interesting and there is less breadth in terms of responsibilities although the pay is about 15% more. I gather from my interview that staff does not work late and leaves on time every day (big plus in my book!). The office dynamic is unknown.

I worry a bit about being home 100% and not having the adult interaction but would also love not to commute and save $$ on gas and time. I'm not super social so maybe telework is not so bad.

Please help me decide!